Eternal Wind/De Candombe/World Music Ensemble

The fascinating textures of Eternal Wind stem from a long list of influences: the moody inspiration of African landscapes, the pulsing newness of mid-60s American jazz, a variety of third world percussion traditions, the guitaristic melodies of Latin America. But don't hear them for the sheer eclecticism of it all; Eternal Wind's value lies in the ability to retool these influences into a cohesive "world music." That makes them the perfect choice for the "World Music Weekend" that inaugurates the city's newest performance loft, Southend Musicworks. Eternal Wind, a quartet that works without piano, bass, or drums, plays Saturday. Tonight, they'll join with a rhythm section led by Detroit pianist Kenny Cox to form De Candombe, which plays in a style derived from Uruguayan street music, which in turn derives from Yoruba sacred music. (The electronic American influence remains close at hand, though; De Candombe has been described as "Miles Davis goes to Montevideo.") On Sunday, the weekend concludes with Chicago's World Music Ensemble, featuring saxists Light Henry Huff and Santez, and drummer Hamid Drake. Tonight and Saturday, 8 PM, and Sunday, 7 PM, Southend Musicworks, 341 W. Superior, third floor; 898-5856.